13 Nov 2010

Man critically injured after police chase

6:28 am on 13 November 2010

A man is in critical condition in hospital with head, back and abdomen injuries after a police chase in Lower Hutt on Thursday night.

Police say the 2km pursuit reached speeds of up to 150 km/h before the car being chased slid and crashed into a power pole on Eastern Hutt Road.

Wellington District Road Policing manager Inspector Peter Baird said it was the man's speeding around a roundabout that caught a patrol car's attention. He then failed to stop for officers.

The maximum speed for the area was 80 km/h.

Police records show there have been 14 deaths from 12 pursuits since the beginning of this year.